Why Your Water Bill Jumped
A sudden or gradual increase in your BC water bill almost always has one of three explanations: a rate increase by your municipality, a change in household water usage, or a hidden leak you haven't found yet. This guide helps you work through each possibility systematically.
Step 1: Check Your Water Meter
The fastest way to confirm a leak is to test your meter. Turn off every fixture and appliance that uses water — faucets, showers, toilets, dishwashers, irrigation systems, ice makers. Then go to your water meter (usually at the property line or in a utility room) and watch the low-flow indicator — a small dial or triangle that rotates when any water is flowing. If it moves with everything off, you have an active leak somewhere in your system.
If you can't locate your meter, contact your municipality's water department — they are usually willing to help.
Step 2: Isolate Indoor vs. Outdoor
If the meter confirms an active leak, close the main interior shutoff valve (usually in the mechanical room or under the kitchen sink). If the meter stops, the leak is inside. If it continues, the leak is in the service line between the meter and your house — buried underground.
BC's wet climate means underground service line leaks can go unnoticed for months. Common signs: unusually lush or wet patches in an otherwise dry lawn, wet areas near the water meter pit, or a meter that runs even when the interior shutoff is closed.
Step 3: Check Every Toilet
Toilets are the most common source of silent indoor water waste. Add a few drops of food colouring to the tank (not the bowl). Wait 20 minutes without flushing. If colour appears in the bowl, the flapper is leaking. A leaking toilet can waste 500 litres per day — enough to add $50–$100 to a monthly bill — invisibly.
Step 4: Check Irrigation and Exterior Hose Bibs
Irrigation systems in BC are typically winterised by October, but a valve that wasn't closed properly, a cracked zone valve or a backflow preventer that failed over winter can cause a continuous slow leak. Walk the property perimeter after rain and look for wet zones that don't correspond to rain patterns.
Step 5: When the Meter Doesn't Help
Not all leaks are constant. A shower pan that only leaks when in use, a roof penetration that only leaks under driving rain, or a balcony drain that only overflows in heavy precipitation won't show on the meter between events. In these cases the bill spike reflects cumulative usage during leak events rather than a continuous flow.
When to Call a Professional
Call a leak detection specialist when:
- The meter confirms an active leak but you can't locate it with the steps above
- Your tests suggest the leak is in a buried service line
- You see water damage (staining, soft flooring, peeling paint) but can't find the source
- You're in a strata building and need a documented report for the strata council or insurer
- The bill has increased gradually over several months — often a sign of a slow, hidden leak
Professional detection uses acoustic correlation, thermal imaging and tracer gas to locate leaks non-invasively — identifying the exact point before any access is made, so repairs are targeted rather than exploratory.
What a Detection Report Includes
A professional report documents the located leak position, the method used, depth estimates for underground leaks, thermal imagery for building leaks, and recommendations for the repair contractor. For strata buildings, this report is required by insurers before a claim can be processed.
LeakInspections.ca is a division of Anyleak.ca and Leak.ca — serving British Columbia since 1999. Call 604-239-9934 for a no-obligation assessment.